More than 30.1 million passengers flew into or out of Manchester airport between the end of September 2023 and the end of September 2024.
During that period, the airport set monthly records in each individual month, paving the way to reach the 30-million mark.
In September, just over three million passengers passed through the airport – up 8% on September 2023 – and 93% of those passengers waited less than 10 minutes to get to security.
It said reaching the milestone puts the hub in the so-called “30 Million Club” alongside major international airports such as La Guardia in New York, Melbourne airport, Hamad International airport in Doha, and Sabia Gokcen International airport, in Istanbul.
Chris Woodroofe, airport managing director, said: “Breaking through the 30-million-passenger barrier tells us we are giving people across the region great access to the places they want to travel to.
“It cements our position as the UK’s global gateway in the north – the biggest airport outside London – and means we are rubbing shoulders with some of the best-known airports across Europe and the world.
“Hitting this milestone comes at a really exciting time, with our transformation programme set to be fully complete next year.
“We’ve had our busiest year yet but at the same time over 98% of our passengers waited less than 15 minutes to get to security.
“We’ve also been given a good rating by the Civil Aviation Authority for the service we provide to disabled passengers and seen more than 80% of our passengers tell us the service they receive from us is good, very good or excellent.
“Joining the 30 Million Club gives us a great platform to build on.”
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Dawn Wilson, chief operating officer of Tui Airline, added: “Partnering with an international airport of Manchester’s status allows us to offer an incredible choice of destinations to customers in the northwest.
“We fly to over 20 long, mid and short haul destinations including West Africa, Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico as well as all the top European beach hot spots.
“The scale of the programme we operate also generates employment in the region, with an energetic base team of cabin crew, pilots, engineers and ground staff as well as committed retail experts serving customers in 37 stores in the region.”
Ali Gayward, easyJet UK country manager, commented: “This marks a major achievement for Manchester airport and its continued commitment to growth and customer excellence.
“easyJet employs over 1,000 people at the airport and hundreds more indirectly, having operated a base from the airport for over 16 years.”
Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s head communications, said: “Ryanair has proudly operated at Manchester for the past 37 years, investing heavily in the region with our 17 based aircraft representing a $1.7 million investment and supporting over 6,200 local jobs, and driving important year-round traffic and tourism growth.”
Manchester airport’s most popular destinations during September were:
Palma, Majorca – 105,987
Dalaman, Turkey – 89,919
Dubai – 89,269
Antalya, Turkey – 89,269
Amsterdam – 88,697
Alicante – 87,079
Dublin – 84,876
Tenerife – 78,330
Malaga – 63,727
Faro – 58,596